The 2024 election season is upon us, and with it, a growing concern among voting officials: the potential threat posed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS, led by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, has a history of election denial and false claims, raising questions about its role in securing elections. This article delves into the complex landscape of election security, exploring the DHS's actions and their implications for the upcoming midterms.
A History of Denial
Gary Berntsen, a former CIA operative, has long been a proponent of the myth that Venezuela stole the 2020 U.S. election. Despite numerous debunkings, including a $787 million settlement with voting machine company Dominion, Berntsen's claims have persisted. His efforts to raise awareness were met with resistance, as he struggled to gain traction with the FBI, media, and even Congress, except for one notable exception: Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Mullin, now the head of the DHS, brokered a meeting at Mar-a-Lago to brief President Trump's team on Venezuelan election interference conspiracy theories. This is just one instance of Mullin's support for election denial. In January 2021, he refused to certify the Electoral College results, citing fraud and uncertainty, and voted against certification in the face of the Capitol mob. His actions have heightened concerns among voting officials that the DHS may not be a partner in securing elections but rather a threat to undermining results that align with Trump's preferences.
A Shift in Federal Election Security
The Trump administration's approach to election security has been unprecedented. They have taken legal action to investigate local election administration, including taking states to court to access private voter registration data and voting machines. Trump allies, such as White House border czar Tom Homan, have suggested deploying immigration enforcement at polling places, despite federal law prohibiting such actions. While DHS agents are only to be present at polling places if there is a specific threat, the current DHS point person for elections, Heather Honey, has a history of spreading election misinformation.
The DHS's focus on election security has shifted dramatically. Most employees working on election security issues within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) were either pushed out or resigned last year. The agency, created by Trump, has been without a Senate-confirmed leader for the entirety of his second term. This lack of leadership and the removal of trusted partners have created a fractured landscape in election security.
The Impact of Defunding
The DHS's defunding and dismantling of election security protections have had significant consequences. The Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), a crucial organization for sharing threat information and providing cybersecurity tools, saw its federal funding cut in 2025. This move has left election officials struggling to maintain the level of collaboration and information sharing that was previously available. The EI-ISAC now relies on county and state members for funding, but membership has decreased significantly.
Rebuilding Trust
The relationship between the federal government and local election officials is strained. Election officials are skeptical about the DHS's commitment to election security, especially after the defunding and dismantling of protections. The EI-ISAC, which once provided no-cost voluntary services, now faces challenges in reaching all election jurisdictions to inform them of its continued existence. The organization plans to create a virtual situation room for elections, but DHS will not be involved.
The future of election security remains uncertain. While Senator Mark Warner introduced legislation to restore funding for a broader threat-sharing service, its chances of gaining traction are unclear. The DHS's actions and statements have raised concerns, and the rebuilding of trust between the federal government and local election officials will be a challenging and lengthy process.
